For as long as anyone can remember, month birthstones have been considered good luck charms, especially when given as gifts to loved ones on their birthdays or anniversaries. Birthstones are traditionally based on the gemstones that were prevalent in the month of your birth, so if you were born in June, you might have thought that your birthstone was an emerald, whereas someone born in November might think theirs was an opal. But did you know that it’s not always that simple? Read on to learn more about birthstones and what they mean to you by month.
January - Garnet
Characterized by their beautiful deep red color, garnets symbolize love and romance. A birthstone for all those born in January, garnets are believed to bring wealth and prosperity when given as a gift. They also represent faithfulness in relationships and friendship. What’s more, garnets come in a variety of colors including orange, green, yellow, black and brown. There’s even blue garnet! Garnet is often used to make jewelry like rings, necklaces and earrings because of its ability to refract light through its crystals that reflect deep red hues.
February - Amethyst
Originally thought to be a form of quartz, it is actually silicon dioxide. Ancient Greeks believed that amethyst was a type of quartz which only came from heaven, making it more precious than gold. From 1477 to 1478, Pope Sixtus IV instituted a new set of birth stones lists that eventually made their way into Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Amethyst has been associated with royalty and spirituality throughout history. [read more]
March - Aquamarine
The name aquamarine means sea water, and that's where you'll find most of these stones—in one way or another. Aquamarine is mined in almost every country that has a coastline, but its most famous source is Brazil. This semi-precious stone actually ranges in color from deep blue to light blue, green and even yellowish green. If you have an aquamarine ring, you can wear it year round if you buy a piece set in sterling silver; the metal will complement any shade of aquamarine perfectly. For gifts, I always recommend birthstone rings for those born in March, especially for women because it represents their ability to make things happen!
April - Diamond
The name for diamond comes from two Greek words, adamas meaning invincible, and chrusos meaning gold. Diamonds are a beautiful gift to give any time of year but they shine brightest in April. The birthstone color is one of the first gifts a child will receive; consider getting your little one her first diamonds in April. These bright sparkling stones are sure to bring joy to your loved ones on their birthday! Shop online now at Brilliant Earth to find an amazing collection of high quality natural diamonds that have been ethically sourced around the world.
May - Emerald
The birthstone for May is emerald, a stunning and deep green gemstone with hints of blue. Emerald’s popularity has been rising steadily in recent years and it’s quickly become one of the most popular birthstones. Emerald has long been associated with eternal life, health, healing, love and happiness. It’s also believed to bring luck to both lovers and travelers alike. It can be worn on its own or paired with other green gems like peridot or tsavorite garnet. The ancient Egyptians were one of many cultures that held emerald sacred as a protective stone, but early civilizations believed emerald had different powers depending on its coloration; white was said to bring peaceful dreams while black varieties were said to protect against nightmares caused by evil spirits.
June - Pearl
A pearl is a hard object produced within a mollusk shell. They are formed over thousands of years as an irritant works its way into an oyster or mussel, reacting with the mantle tissue to form layers of iridescent nacre (or mother of pearl), which create a gemstone. Pearls have been treasured for thousands of years across cultures and civilizations. When choosing pearls for jewelry, look for perfectly round ones in rich hues like white, cream and rose—they're timeless classic.
July - Ruby
Ruby is July's birthstone. According to folklore, ruby fell from heaven in solid form. It is a deep red color that symbolizes strength and courage. Rubies can be worn for protection, creativity, wisdom and good health. A ruby is also often given as a 30th or 40th wedding anniversary gift because it signifies love and happiness together. If you are looking for an unique way to celebrate your birthday month, why not create a piece of jewelry with your birthstone inside? You could even gift it to yourself!
August - Peridot
This stone symbolizes friendship and commitment, which is why topaz is traditionally given as a friendship or promise ring. It’s also associated with ambition and drive, qualities that have made it popular with leaders throughout history. Roman emperors used to claim topaz to be their birthstone, though historians aren’t exactly sure why. There are several colors of topaz in existence including blue topaz, brown topaz, pink topaz and orange/yellowish-brown chrysolite (which is just another word for tanned translucent agate). In general, however, most people tend to associate yellow/golden topaz with its highest quality.
September - Sapphire
Long ago, sailors brought sapphires home from their travels abroad and thought them as valuable as diamonds. Today, sapphires remain among nature’s most treasured gems, prized for their beauty and brilliance. If you were born in September, your birthstone is a sapphire—an auspicious stone with a long history of adorning royalty. Though it comes in a variety of colors (including blue, purple, red and yellow), sapphire most commonly appears as a gorgeous shade of blue that complements every skin tone beautifully.
October - Opal
October’s birthstone is opal, which dates back to Ancient Rome. The Romans valued opals for their supposed healing properties and believed that they could neutralize poisons if worn on a piece of cloth over their heart. Their name for Opal came from opalus, meaning precious stone in Latin. Opals have even more history than that; in Medieval times, it was thought that opals were formed when lightning hit water and mixed with sand. This myth persisted until 1828 when an Australian shepherd discovered an opal field by noticing a patch of unusually clear ground surrounded by grass so thick it couldn’t be walked through or cut down. He traced its origin to a heavy storm some time before.
November - Topaz
November's birthstone is topaz, a variety of quartz that ranges in color from pale pink to orange-yellow. Commonly mined in Brazil, Sri Lanka and Russia, topaz is considered a symbol of fire; ancient sailors believed it protected them from sea storms. This mineral also goes by another name: The Stone of Warriors because it was believed to ward off illness and make warriors invincible in battle. After all, which warrior would want any weaknesses when facing down enemies? Topaz can be used as an inexpensive substitute for diamonds and sapphires - just don't confuse it with other stones that are similarly colored. For example, citrine looks similar but its chemical composition is quite different.
December - Turquoise
Turquoise is one of three birthstones for December. Other people born in December consider turquoise to be their lucky stone and feel that it’s a good choice for jewelry. People with December birthdays should consider turquoise as their birthstone, or as a gift for someone who shares their birthday. A turquoise is a great way to bring joy into someone’s life and give them something they will cherish forever.